This Spicy Scallop Ceviche recipe is almost too simple to make. Easy and impressive, the scallops cook themselves in citrus juices!
Ever had a dish that was so pretty your eyes popped out of your head? 😳 Hang tight, 'cause this one will! This super easy, crazy-delicious Spicy Scallop Ceviche recipe was inspired by an appetizer dish I had at my favorite wine tasting bar, Stem Wine Bar.
Serve them in a scallop shell or martini glass. So impressive!
[For this post we’ve partnered with TransOcean's Simply Surimi Seafood.]
How to make this easy ceviche recipe
- If you're buying frozen scallops, defrost completely.
- Rinse ¾ pound of fresh sea scallops and remove the small side-muscle.
- Slice the scallops in half length-wise. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the juices from 2 lemons, 1 orange with zest, 1 lime, and 1 grapefruit. Stir the citrus juices together well.
- Then, stir into the bowl the crushed garlic, 1 sliced jalapeño, sliced radishes, sliced red onion, diced red bell pepper, and fresh cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add in the scallops making sure the scallops are soaking in the juices. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours (the scallops will cook naturally in the juices). Sprinkle more cilantro on top when ready to serve.
- Serve in a pretty bowl, like these scallop shell dishes from Sur La Table!
I used these wild Wild Japanese Hokkaido Scallops from TransOcean.
How to prepare fresh sea scallops
- Fully defrost the scallops if previously frozen.
- Run the scallops under water. Pat dry with a paper towel and remove the small side-muscle from each scallop. (The muscle is very tough to eat.)
- Cut the scallops in half lengthwise. Place in the refrigerator until ready to prepare.
I threw in every citrus under the sun -- lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit. Just four hours later and, voilà, you will not believe how amazing this tastes!
These delectable scallops will cook themselves in the citrus juices, making it such an easy appetizer. Impressive too!
TIPS & TRICKS
- Make sure you buy the freshest sea scallops. It should smell sweet, not fishy! I suggest buying frozen-fresh scallops for safe measure. Wild scallops are always best.
- Have your cleaned and prepped scallops ready to go. Once you get the citrus marinade together you can plop them in there and place in the fridge to "cook."
- You can use whatever citrus you have on hand. I like the use of grapefruit in this recipe, just because I absolutely love the taste of grapefruit!
- I used regular red radishes but I love the pretty look of rainbow radishes too!
- For the spice level, you can use the jalapeños with seeds or without, to your taste. I like a little heat!
WANT MORE?
If you like this recipe, you're going to love my Seared Chili Scallops with Baby Bok Choy!
Update Notes: This post was originally published on May 9, 2017, but was republished with slight text changes and additions, like step by step instructions, tips, and images in May 2019.
Print Spicy Scallop Ceviche
This Spicy Scallop Ceviche recipe is almost too simple to make. Easy and impressive, the scallops cook themselves in citrus juices!
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- ¾ pounds fresh sea scallops
- 2 lemons freshly squeezed
- Zest from one orange and freshly squeezed
- 1 lime freshly squeezed
- 1 ruby red grapefruit, freshly squeezed
- 1 large garlic clove, crushed
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced
- 4 radishes, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons red onion, diced or thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons red bell pepper, seeded and small diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (more for garnish)
- Pinch of salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Clean and remove the small muscle from the scallops. Slice the scallops in half length-wise. Set scallops aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the juices from the lemons, orange, orange zest, lime, and grapefruit, stir together well. Stir into the bowl the garlic, jalapeño, radishes, onion, bell pepper and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Add in the scallops making sure the scallops are soaking in the juices.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours (the scallops will cook naturally in the juices). Sprinkle more cilantro on top when ready to serve.
Notes
- Make sure you buy the freshest sea scallops. It should smell sweet, not fishy! I suggest buying frozen-fresh scallops for safe measure. Wild scallops are always best.
- Have your cleaned and prepped scallops ready to go. Once you get the citrus marinade together you can plop them in there and place in the fridge to "cook."
- You can use whatever citrus you have on hand. I like the use of grapefruit in this recipe, just because I absolutely love the taste of grapefruit!
- I used regular red radishes but I love the pretty look of rainbow radishes too!
- For the spice level, you can use the jalapeños with seeds or without, to your taste. I like a little heat!
- Prep Time: 45 min
- Cook Time: No-cook
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 123
- Sugar: 1.7 g
- Sodium: 410.6 mg
- Fat: 0.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.3 g
- Protein: 11.7 g
- Cholesterol: 20.4 mg
LT says
Can it be store bought frozen scallops or does it have to be sushi grade?
Asian Caucasian says
Hi! Most seafood is flash frozen (check the bag), which means it will be super fresh right off the boat. Often times, frozen seafood is much fresher than not frozen! I've used a quality bag of frozen scallops for this recipe with no issues. Hope that helps!
Shilpi Ratra says
Hello! This recipe looks amazing! I want to make it for mother’s day lunch. If I make it the night before, will the scallop “overcook” overnight? Thank you!
Asian Caucasian says
Yes, you don't need to "cook" it that long. It may get rubbery. Just in case, I would try for four hours of "cooking." Can you get up early in the morning? Get your marinade ready to go the night before to save time! Good luck!
Shilpi Ratra says
I will try that! Thank you!!
Zahra says
I absolutely love ceviche and that’s why tried this recipe. I loved the fresh flavors. I’m making this again at Christmas dinner.
Asian Caucasian says
So glad you enjoyed it! This will be perfect for Xmas dinner! It's so elegant and tasty.
Julie Running in a Skirt says
OH MY! I just had twin boys and am SO happy I can have ceviche again. Trying this recipe ASAP!
Asian Caucasian says
Yay! Being pregnant certainly limits the raw seafood element! Not sure I could survive with out it! Ha ha!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
This dish looks so pretty. I think it would make a delicious light starter at Christmas or any time!
Asian Caucasian says
Absolutely! It's so impressive and they will never know how easy it was go make!
Amanda says
Love your food styling! Great photos!
Asian Caucasian says
Thanks, Amanda! These shells were not expensive but look so impressive when serving!
Claudia Canu says
I can't wait to try this recipe, it really looks delicious and fancy! Your presentation also look beautiful!
Asian Caucasian says
Thank you! We eat with our eyes, right? So I presented the scallops in these inexpensive scallop shells! Looks fancy, but it's not!
Laurie M says
I can’t wait to make this beautiful dish for my dinner guests!
Asian Caucasian says
Thank you, Laurie! This is such an impressive dish but super easy to make. Your dinner guests will never know how easy it is!